Page 14 of Dragon King’s Duty Bride

Regardless, Celeste looked unconvinced.

The moment that complicated everything even more came on a Saturday afternoon.

Sia had stepped out onto the garden patio to give Lucas some time with the girls. The doors were open and she could hear voices inside, low at first, then louder.

“I don’t want her doing bedtime! We can do it ourselves,” Celeste complained. “That was our special time with Mama.”

“She’s trying,” Lucas replied. His voice sounded tired but steady. “She wants what’s best for you girls.”

“I don’t care.”

“She’s not your mom,” Lucas said gently. “I know that and she knows that.”

Celeste snapped. “But you let her act like she is.”

Silence stretched and tears welled in Sia’s eyes.

When Lucas spoke again, his voice carried something Sia hadn’t heard before. It was pure frustration.

“She’s my wife now, Celeste. She’s part of this family. You are a princess, and I expect you to act like one even when you don’t want to.”

“And what about Mama?”

“She will always be your mother.” His voice softened. “Nothing changes that.”

“It feels like it does, and I don’t like it. I hate her being here.” Celeste ran for the door. “And I hate you for making her stay.”

The words felt like a slap in the face. Sia slipped farther down the patio steps as Celeste’s footsteps faded down the hallway.

It wasn’t long before Lucas found her sitting on the bottom stair.

“You heard,” he said.

She nodded. “I don’t want to force this,” she whispered. “If she needs more time, then she deserves it.”

“She does,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you step back completely.”

Sia swallowed. “I don’t want to come between you two.”

Lucas crouched in front of her. “You’re not between us. You’re beside me. I know this is hard on her, but Celeste doesn’t get a say in the situation. We’ll just have to figure it out.”

It should have comforted her, but instead, it complicated everything. Feelings were not supposed to be involved but his kindness created a crack in the wall she had built around her heart.

The next morning, Celeste knocked softly on Sia’s bedroom door after Lucas had left for a meeting in his office.

Celeste didn’t look at her at first. “Papa says you’re not going anywhere.”

“I’m not,” Sia said gently. She wasn’t sure if Celeste had come on her own or if Lucas had forced her.

“I don’t want to hate you,” Celeste muttered. “I really don’t.”

The honesty stole Sia’s breath. She paused before she spoke so she didn’t ruin the moment.

“You don’t have to love me,” Sia told her. “You don’t even have to like me yet. But I meant what I said when I told you that I’m not here to replace Dian. But I am here to help take care of you. That’s it.”

Celeste finally met her eyes. “It feels like if I like you, I’m betraying her.”

Sia’s throat tightened. “Loving more people doesn’t betray the ones you’ve lost. The one that we lost.”